Mary Elliott

Mary Claire Elliott died February 22, 2024. She was 96 years old. Mary was born August 16, 1927, in Detroit, to John and Clara Burkhardt.
Preceded in death by her husband Kenneth F. Elliott and her beloved brothers Jack and Dick Burkhardt, Mary also lost her parents at an early age (12 years old) and was raised thereafter by her cousin Joy and her husband Harold Evans.
She attended Immaculata High School and Marygrove College. She met her beloved husband Ken on a blind date on St. Patrick's Day and they were married for 52 years. Together they built a family business called Kenmar Corporation whose employees were part of the extended Elliott family. They had eight children and were blessed with 25 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
Mary is survived by her children, Cathy (Don) Goergen, Christine Elliott, Nancy (the late David) Lawrie, Maureen (Aric) Rusk, Elizabeth (William) Reid, Cynthia (Chris) Kantgias, Carolyn (Brad) Cowdery, Kenneth F. Elliott Jr., and Robin Elliott (the late Jim) Howe; grandchildren, Tim (Jessie) Goergen, Stephanie Goergen, Colleen (Mitchell) Lee, Patrick (Kari) Gooing, Reed (Meghan) Lawrie, Adam(Lindsay) Lawrie, Maeve Lawrie, Connor (Kelsey) Lawrie, Jody (Michelle) Rusk, Aimy (Art) Burgess, Collin Rusk, Leigh (Ryan) Fitch, Elliott (Laura) Rusk, Kevin (Marissa) Reid, Cameron Reid, Claire Reid, Cole (Alex) Kantgias, Jack Kantgias, Case Kantgias, Kate Cowdery, Joe Cowdery, Charlie Cowdery, Andy Cowdery, Patrick (Kara) Howe, Caitlin (Brian) Osborne, and Brendan (Abby) Howe; and great-grandchildren, Jacob Goergen, Grady Goergen, Tessa Goergen, Ethan Lee, Mason Lee, Owen Lee, Regan Lawrie, Shane Lawrie, Clair Lawrie, Quinn Lawrie, Lilly Lawrie, Callahan Lawrie, Lake Lawrie, Gordie Lawrie, Knox Lawrie, Coco Lawrie, Hope Rusk, Ian Fitch, Griffin Fitch, Evelyn Fitch, Marshall Rusk, Madeline Rusk, Josephina Reid, Jackson Reid, Liam Reid, Navice Williams, Catherine Howe, Teddy Howe, George Howe, Mary Howe, Elliott Osborne, Charlotte Osborne, Caroline Osborne, Bo Osborne, Chase Howe, Scout Howe, Kieffer Howe; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She may not have always called them by the correct names but she did her best and had fun doing it.
Mary had many lifelong friends whom she loved dearly. She had a knack for befriending everyone she met. She was a second mother to many. Having lost her mother at an early age she knew the importance of making everyone feel valued and special. Everywhere she went people remembered her grace and humor. Mary's ability to find the humor in every situation "occasionally" frustrated her husband Ken!
She loved family and Christmas as well as all of the holidays and seasons. She literally had decorations for each and every month. She loved good, rare hamburgers, ribs and a glass of white wine while listening to jazz. Mary's favorite place was summers at the family cottage in Canada where everyone gathered and everyone was welcome. She kept Hallmark and the Post Office in business with her monthly cards to loved ones sent worldwide. It was always fun to decipher Mary's handwriting.
The center of Mary's life was her Catholic faith. She lived her faith. Donations in her memory would be appreciated to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Angels' Place.
Visitation will take place at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks, Thursday, February 29, 2-7pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon, Birmingham, Friday, March 1, 10am. Friends may visit at church beginning at 9:30am. THE MASS WILL BE VIEWABLE VIA LIVESTREAM HERE.